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Tuck: 2013 MLB Awards

3B Miguel Cabrera, Tigers- In 72 less at-bats, the reigning MVP matched last year's HR total and is two RBI short of his 2012 season. He is hitting .345 compared to .330 a season ago. Amazingly enough he's better this year, even without the triple crown, which why on the surface, a statistical anomaly, is overrated. For what it's worth, Mike Trout was better in many ways this year too.

CY YOUNG

SP Max Scherzer, Tigers- He is baseball's only 20 game winner. Even if you hate wins (I don't hate them like many in the modern-day rebellion, but I do think theycan be overrated), you can't ignore thatScherzer also ranks in the top three in the AL in strikeouts, strikeout ratio, FIP, WAR for pitchers, opponent batting average, quality starts and quality-start percentage.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

OF Wil Myers, Rays- The most important things I can say about Myers are that he was a rock in the Rays lineup. He was steady when others were shaky. And despite missing the first 70 games, the team went 54-36 after he came up, which is the second best record in baseball over that time span.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Terry Francona, Indians-Whether they make the playoffs or not, Cleveland's scrappiness and tenacity can't be ignored. They lost 94 games last season and their pitching staff was bludgeoned repeatedly. There are a number of great candidates in the AL, but Francona gets it for doing the most with the least.

NATIONAL LEAGUE

MVP

OF Andrew McCutchen, Pirates-We spent much of the season saying how tough this vote would be. There is no shortage of strong candidates, but McClutch jumps off the page for his second half work. He hit .347 with 11 HR, 41 RBI since July. He has a chance to join Mike Trout as the only players with 20HR-20SB-40Doubles. He leads all NL position players in the offensive component of Wins Above Replacement (7.3). And that is what stands out, I think his team needs him more than any other team needs its star.

CY YOUNG

SP Clayton Kershaw, Dodgers-He has the lowest ERA for any pitcher, for a career, all-time. His 1.88 ERA, .92 WHIP, and .195 batting average against are the second lowest marks since they lowered the mound in 1969. He's led the NL in ERA and WHIP three years running. He isn't just the best pitcher in baseball, he's the greatest pitcher ever through 181 starts.

ROOKIE OF THE YEAR

SP Jose Fernandez, Marlins-This is clearly the most crowded category. Yasail Puig is a runaway winner in most years, but not this one. Fernandez put together perhaps the best rookie pitching season in the history of baseball. Compare his numbers to anyone. This 20 year old had hype, but nobody even expected him to make the team, let alone destroy the National League. Some added perspective: The Marlins won 18 games with him pitching this year. They only won 41 the rest of the time.

MANAGER OF THE YEAR

Don Mattingly, Dodgers- It's so hard to not to vote for Clint Hurdle of Pittsburgh. It's too easy to vote against the guy with the $200 million payroll. But when you think about where the Dodgers were, and where they've gone, compiling records along the way, it's pretty amazing. We witnessed one of the greatest runs of baseball in the history of the sport by the Dodgers over the last 4 months. Donny baseball should be recognized for overseeing it all.